The iPhone 15 Pro Max may be the best iPhone you can buy at the moment, but that moment could soon come to an end. Apple has set a date for its fall product launch, and most predictions for the September 9 "Glowtime" event point to new iPhone 16 models making their debut. When that happens, expect some of the models listed below to disappear while others remaining as part of Apple's lineup will get a price cut.
If you can wait until September 9 to buy a new phone from Apple, you definitely should. The upcoming iPhone 16 models figure to have a new A18 processor that not only delivers improved performance but also supports the AI-powered Apple Intelligence features launching later this year. The iPhone 16 Pro in particular should see an improved telephoto lens, while rumors tip both the Pro and the iPhone 16 Pro Max to get a more powerful ultrawide camera. Those Pro models should get bigger screens as well.
Even if you don't opt for one of the new phones, you'll pay less for current iPhone models that Apple continues to sell. (We've got a closer look at which iPhones are likely to still be around after the September 9 event and what they're likely to cost.) In other words, it pays to wait to see what Apple has planned.
That said, waiting isn't always an option. I should know since I bought an iPhone 15 ahead of the iPhone 16 launch, though that was because of a deal from my carrier that was too good to pass up. Check out our iPhone 16 vs. iPhone 15 comparison to get a sense of what model could be right for you. And our look at the best iPhone deals can help you find ways to save.
Whether you're a long-time iPhone fan or you're just making the switch from Android to iPhone, we can help you find a phone you'll be happy to use, no matter when you wind up buying phone. Ahead of the iPhone 16 launch, here's how we rank the best iPhones currently available.
The quick list
The best iPhone overall
The iPhone 15 Pro Max is the best iPhone you can buy, sporting the biggest screen, most powerful chipset and best cameras. You'll also appreciate the epic battery life for this model — along with its 5x zoom camera that gets you closer than ever before.
The best iPhone for most people
It may not generate the excitement of other recent models, but the $799 iPhone is at a price most of us can afford. It still offers solid cameras and strong performance courtesy of the A16 Bionic chipset.
Best battery life
There's more than one way to get a 6.7-inch iPhone. Rather than pay up for the Max, the iPhone 15 Plus gives you the expansive screen real estate for a lower price. It actually has the longest battery life we've tested in an iPhone.
The best iPhone for under $1,000
If the iPhone 15 Pro Max's price is too much, try the iPhone 15 Pro instead. It's got many of the same features as the Max, with a smaller 6.1-inch display — but it also costs $200 less. We really like how its titanium alloy frame makes it lighter.
Best discounted big iPhone
There's still a choice for fans of big phones who happen to have a tighter budget. The iPhone 14 Plus starts at a modest $799, which nabs you a 6.7-inch iPhone that's perfect to run iOS 17's Standby Mode.
A good iPhone at a discount
If the iPhone 15 doesn't tickle your fancy, then consider the iPhone 14, which saves you $100 in the process. The 2022 phone is still good enough for most tasks, and you won't have to pay big bucks for a capable device. Not only is its smaller size easier on the hands, but it's also available in several bright colors.
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The least expensive iPhone
You're not stuck paying big bucks for an iPhone. For $429, the iPhone SE 2022 gives you a relatively powerful processor in a phone that runs the latest version of iOS and will be able to support iOS 18 this fall. And the lone camera is pretty good, too.
Best iPhone for bargain hunters
With not a lot of significant changes between the iPhone 14 and iPhone 13, you've got a chance to save on 2021's flagship. Yes, the iPhone 13 is a couple of years older, but it's also $200 cheaper and it can run iOS 17 and the upcoming iOS 18 just fine.
The best iPhone overall
Who should get the iPhone 15 Pro Max: Anyone who wants the best iPhone around, regardless of price
Every premium feature Apple packs into its phones is on display with the iPhone 15 Pro Max, and the phone has the price tag to show it. While this is the most expensive iPhone, you also get the super-fast A17 Pro processor, an improved 12MP telephoto camera with 5x zoom, and an eye-catching titanium alloy frame. Plus, the Pro Max offers an expansive 6.7-inch display with a big battery to match. That battery kept the iPhone 15 Pro Max running for more than 14 hours in our test, placing it near the top of the best phone battery life rankings.
The iPhone 15 Pro Max’s hits keep on coming. The new Action button replaces the mute switch and can be programmed for a number of functions — including acting as the mute switch. Its most notable new addition is its improved telephoto camera range, which now extends to 5x zoom, the longest in an iPhone to date. To see how the iPhone 15 Pro Max compares to other best camera phone contenders, check out our 200-photo face-off between this iPhone and the Galaxy S24 Ultra.
Even with the iPhone 16 Pro Max likely to replace this model in Apple's lineup in a few months, it's worth considering the iPhone 15 Pro Max, as the phone's A17 Pro chipset will allow it to run Apple Intelligence features. (You can try out initial Apple Intelligence features if you're daring enough to install the iOS 18.1 beta.) The standard iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus can't make that claim.
We struggle to come up with any serious complaints about the iPhone 15 Pro Max, which is not only the best phone you can buy right now, but the best iPhone Apple’s ever made.
Read our full iPhone 15 Pro Max review.
The best iPhone for most of us
Who should get the iPhone 15: Anyone who wants the least expensive model of Apple's latest phone.
The iPhone 15 doesn’t have the flashier features found in its Pro siblings, but it’s still a solid upgrade, particularly if you’re looking to make the move from an older iPhone — we're thinking iPhone 13 or later.
The notch is gone, and now in its place, the Dynamic Island that it borrows from the iPhone 14 Pro series. The iPhone 15 features an A16 Bionic chipset instead of the newer A17 Pro. But at least the iPhone 15’s version of the A16 features it the extra GPU muscle to boost it over the iPhone 14.
While the 5x telephoto camera in the iPhone 15 Pro Max is grabbing most of the attention, the iPhone 15’s camera improvements are noteworthy — so much so that this model ranks among the top camera phones even without a dedicated telephoto lens, which Apple is able to do with some hardware and software magic. A larger sensor with bigger pixels powers the main camera, improving performance in low light and makes its 2x zoom photos usable. The iPhone 15 also benefits from Apple’s enhanced Photonic Engine, which delivers brighter images.
Action mode for capturing smoother video continues to be available to iPhone 15 owners, while its new USB-C port allows it to charge all of your other favorite gadgets — like the AirPods and Apple Watch, And that comes in a device that continues to cost $799, making it one of the more affordable flagships out there. Should Apple keep this phone around after the iPhone 16 release, you can expect a price cut.
Read our full iPhone 15 review.
Best battery life in an iPhone
Who should get the iPhone 15 Plus: Big-screen phone fans on a budget.
The iPhone 15 Plus is the best iPhone for people who prefer a larger display but don't want to pay big bucks for one of the best big phones. For $300 less than the iPhone 15 Pro Max, the iPhone 15 Plus gives you an expansive 6.7-inch OLED screen, whether you want to watch movies and shows on the go or you just want a bigger viewfinder for your photos. And the photos look amazing from the improved cameras on the iPhone 15 Plus, thanks to a bigger main sensor and Apple’s Photonic Engine for better pics in low light.
As much as we like the regular iPhone 15, you’ll want to get the Plus if you want more time between charges. The iPhone 15 Plus lasted more than 14 hours on our web surfing test, giving it the longest battery life we've ever recorded for an iPhone on our test. There’s some things we don’t like about the iPhone 15 Plus — including its dated 60Hz refresh rate and slow charging via its new USB-C port — but overall it’s a great value. And like the iPhone 15, the iPhone 15 Plus is available in a handful of charming color options.
Read our full iPhone 15 Plus review.
The most affordable iPhone Pro
Who should get the iPhone 15 Pro: Anyone who wants the iPhone 15 Pro Max's features, but at a lower price.
You don't necessarily have to pay $1,199 for the best iPhone features. Most everything you find in the iPhone 15 Pro Max is also available in the iPhone 15 Pro, but for $200 less. You'll sacrifice battery life — the battery inside the iPhone 15 Pro is smaller — and the Pro model only offers a 6.1-inch display (though it matches the 144Hz refresh rate of the larger Pro Max).
The A17 Pro chipset is here, meaning you'll be able to run Apple Intelligence features as part of this year's software updates. You also get an improved 48MP main camera and a sturdy titanium alloy frame, programmable Action button, and USB-C port. From cameras to display brightness, to the way it handles demanding apps, the iPhone 15 Pro is a winner, and a way to enjoy the high-end Pro features Apple has added to its lineup without paying Max prices.
Read our full iPhone 15 Pro review.
Best discounted big iPhone
Who should get the iPhone 14 Plus: Big-screen phone fans on a budget.
The iPhone 14 Plus remains a great iPhone for people who prefer a larger display but don't want to pay big bucks for one of the best big phones, especially now that Apple charges less for this model. With a starting price of $799, the iPhone 14 Plus gives you an expansive 6.7-inch OLED screen, whether you want to watch movies and shows on the go or you just want a bigger viewfinder for your photos. And the photos look amazing from the improved cameras on the iPhone 14 Plus, thanks to a bigger main sensor and Apple’s Photonic Engine for better pics in low light.
As much as we like the regular iPhone 14, you’ll want to get the Plus if you want more time between charges. The iPhone 14 Plus lasted nearly 12 hours on our web surfing test. There’s some things we don’t like about the iPhone 14 Plus — including the 60Hz refresh rate and lack of telephoto lens — but overall it’s a great value. And like the iPhone 14, the iPhone 14 Plus includes a yellow color option go with its black, white, blue, purple and red colors.
Read our full iPhone 14 Plus review.
A good iPhone at a discount
Who should get the iPhone 14: Bargain hunters who are unimpressed with the new features included on the standard iPhone 15.
Even with the iPhone 15 available, the iPhone 14 remains a viable choice for many people. By skipping more recent iPhones, you won't get a slightly improved A16 Bionic chipset in the iPhone 15 or the camera improvements in the new models. But the iPhone 14 is a worthy upgrade from older phones, and at $699, it costs less than it did when it debuted. (Our iPhone 15 vs. iPhone 14 comparison has more on the differences.)
One of the best things about this model is its storage — Apple includes 128GB with the base model after years of forcing people to upgrade from the skimpy 64GB if they wanted a higher capacity. The A15 processor remains a solid processor, though upcoming Android devices are likely to out-muscle it if Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 benchmarks are any indication.
As with any iPhone 14 model, the real story here is the cameras. The iPhone 14 still features two rear lenses, but they have bigger sensors than the iPhone 13's, leading to improved low-light photography. The iPhone 14 also supports Cinematic mode for shifting the focus in videos.
Read our full iPhone 14 review.
The least expensive iPhone
Who should get the iPhone SE 2022: Anyone who wants the least expensive iPhone
The iPhone SE (2022) is the most budget-friendly option in the current iPhone lineup. Starting at $429 for the 64GB model, the latest SE is a veritable powerhouse that runs laps around anything else at this price point. You will not find something that performs better under $500, even if its lone camera loses some luster when compared against the the more recently released Pixel 8a. (See our 200-photo Pixel 8a vs. iPhone SE photo face-off to get a sense of how the iPHone is beginning to lag behind.)
With the same A15 Bionic chipset that’s in the iPhone 13 — but lacking the extra GPU core found in the A15 powering the iPhone 14 — the iPhone SE (2022) can handle any task you set before it, all in an incredibly compact body. However, the 4.7-inch LCD is a bit of a letdown with a low resolution by today’s standards (1344 x 750). The chunky bezels of the classic iPhone design also look incredibly dated.
Perhaps the most egregious omission from the iPhone SE is the lack of Night mode. It’s even sadder because the phone takes great photos in daylight. And it also lacks mmWave 5G, so people hoping to take advantage of Verizon’s Ultra Wideband network will be left out in the cold with the latest iPhone SE.
Read our full iPhone SE (2022) review.
Best iPhone for bargain hunters
Who should get the iPhone 13: Bargain hunters who are unimpressed with the new features included on the standard iPhone 14.
It's been around for nearly two years, but the iPhone 13 remains a viable choice for many people now that it costs just $599. By skipping more recent iPhones, you won't get a slightly improved A15 Bionic chipset in the iPhone 14 or the camera improvements in the new models. (Our iPhone 14 vs. iPhone 13 comparison has more on the differences.) If you're mulling this model, better act soon, as it's likely to disappear from Apple's lineup when the iPhone 16 debuts.
This was the first standard iPhone to ship with 128GB of storage, after years of Apple requiring people to upgrade from the skimpy 64GB if they wanted a higher capacity. The A15 processor remains a solid processor, though Android devices released after this phone came out can now out-perform that aging Apple silicon.
As with any iPhone 13 model, the real story here is the cameras. The iPhone 13 still features two rear lenses, but they have bigger sensors than the iPhone 12's, leading to improved low-light photography. The iPhone 13 also supports Cinematic mode for shifting the focus in videos.
Read our full iPhone 13 review.
How to choose the best iPhone for you
When shopping for an iPhone, take stock of the features and capabilities that matter most to you. If battery life is especially important, seek out a larger iPhone, as they tend to have bigger batteries to match their screen size. What's more, because iOS is known to be generally efficient in terms of energy consumption, even the smaller models tend to last longer than average on a charge.
If you're basing your next iPhone purchase off camera quality, the top-tier Pro variants are easy recommendations, thanks to triple-lens designs that allow you to capture multiple different perspectives, from zoomed-out ultra wide-angle images to shallow depth-of-field portraits. They're also remarkably good in challenging lighting scenarios, like when shooting in a dimly-lit indoor space, or outdoors at night.
All that said, if price is king, and saving the absolute most on your next smartphone purchase is your top priority, you should have no reservations about nabbing either the iPhone SE or an older model with a lower price tag. They may be on the cheaper side of Apple's range, but they're still made of flagship-quality materials, with enough power and performance to sustain years of use. iOS software updates, which are available to every model at the same time, generally provide five years of support, adding to the value of older models.
After Apple dropped the iPhone 12 a year ago, you no longer have to worry quite as much about storage. The base model of nearly every iPhone starts with 128GB of storage — the exceptions are the iPhone SE (a paltry 64GB) and iPhone 15 Pro Max (a more generous 256GB).
If you buy your iPhone through Apple, you may be able to save money by trading in your current phone. Apple offers $170 to $620 off your purchase when you trade-in an iPhone 11 or later. (The more recent your iPhone, the higher the trade-in value, and yes, switchers, Apple will accept Android devices, too.)
Note that if you buy your iPhone unlocked from Apple, you'll need to tack another $30 onto the base price of the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus. (The iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max start at the same price, whether unlocked or not.)
We track special offers from carriers and retailers to find the best iPhone deals by model:
When Apple releases new iPhones, it cuts the price on the models it keeps around. That's why you're paying less for the iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Plus and iPhone 13 after the iPhone 15's September 2023 release. That could happen to some of the current models after the iPhone 16's release.
All of the iPhones mentioned here can run iOS 17, Apple's latest iPhone software that came out just ahead of the iPhone 15 release. Read our iOS 17 review for more on the big features. Highlights include the new StandBy mode as well as the Check In feature that lets you tell people through the Message app that you've arrived safely. The latest version of the software is iOS 17.6.
When are the next iPhones coming out?
Apple typically releases new iPhones in the fall. That's when we're expecting the new iPhone 16 models which will almost certainly feature an iPhone 16 Pro and an iPhone 16 Pro Max. (Talk of an iPhone 16 Ultra seems to have fizzled out.) Forget about an iPhone SE 4 this year — that's almost certainly not going to arrive until 2025 at the earliest.
Based on Apple's past release schedule, we can make an educated guess as to when we think the iPhone 16 release date will be, with a growing number of rumors pointing to September 10 as the likely date for Apple's next iPhone event.
We've already gotten a good look at iOS 18, the next version of Apple's iPhone software. A public beta of that software arrived in July, letting anyone with an iPhone XR or later test out the new features. You can find out our first impressions in our iOS 18 hands-on review. A separate beta — iOS 18.1 — lets you test out AI-powered Apple Intelligence features, but only if you've got an iPhone with an A17 Pro chip.
How we test iPhones
As with any smartphone we test at Tom's Guide, we evaluate iPhones for days in real-world use cases. We also benchmark Apple's phones using a gamut of performance-measuring apps that allow us to compare iPhone performance to what Android devices are capable of. In addition to synthetic benchmarks, we also run real-world tests, including a video transcoding test in Adobe Premiere Rush that compares the iPhone's processing speed with other devices.
In our lab, we use a light meter to ascertain display quality data, like brightness and color accuracy to help us evaluate the display of the best iPhones. Our proprietary battery test determines longevity on a charge by endlessly streaming webpages over an LTE network; we then recharge the iPhones to see how quickly they charge in 15-minute intervals.
To compare cameras, we take any iPhone we review out and shoot photos in a variety of settings. We also bring along a comparable smartphone to see how the iPhone's photographic output measures up.
We explore Apple's iOS improvements, test gaming performance and evaluate the phone's speakers — and each of these factors play a part in our final verdict.
